IDIOM CONNECTION

lesson 9

Opportunity Idioms and a Karate Class

Introduction

1. What types of martial arts do you know?

2. Have you ever done any kind of martial arts?

Reading

Last week, I went to the local recreation center to look into the possibility of taking a karate or other martial arts class. The community center usually puts out their new recreation guide in April. There are many martial arts classes at the center so I know that I can get into one of them. Usually, I am too busy for extra activities but this year I have some extra free time. I want to seize the opportunity and do something new. Next year, I may be too busy so I must jump at the chance quickly. It is now or never. I will look through the program in detail and probably go to a Saturday morning karate class. Finally, I will have a chance to practice a martial art.

Reading Questions

Answer the following questions. The answers can easily be found in the reading above.

1. What did this person want to look into?

2. When does the recreation center put out their new program?

3. Does he think that he can get into a martial arts class?

4. Does he want to seize the opportunity to do something new?

5. Will he jump at the chance to do something new?

6. Is it now or never for him to take a class?

7. Does he plan to look through the program in detail?

Making Connections and Idiom Meanings

Some of the idioms have another meaning or are connected to another meaning. Use this information to help you choose the correct meaning for each of the following idioms:

1. to look into something
a)   to discuss something
b)   to inquire or ask about something
c)   to decide something

2. to put out something
a)   to do something
b)   to produce or publish something
c)   to sell something

3. to get into a class
a)   to dislike a class
b)   to think about a class
c)   to enter a class

4. The meaning of seize is to take or grab something or to capture something. An opportunity is a favorable or good situation. What does to seize an opportunity mean?
a)   to discuss an opportunity
b)   to use an opportunity for one's benefit
c)   to look for an opportunity

5. One meaning of jump is to move quickly or to respond quickly to something. What do you think that to jump at a chance means?
a)   to have a chance to do something
b)   to eagerly accept the chance to do something
c)   to be afraid to do something

6. now or never
a)   this time and no other time
b)   absolutely never
c)   probably in the future

7. Through can sometimes mean from the beginning to the end of something. When you read through something, you read all of the material. However, looking at something is easier and faster than reading something. What do you think that to look through something means?
a)   to search for information
b)   to read something in detail
c)   to read something quickly in order to find the information that you need

8. in detail
a)   with close attention to the details of something
b)   in general
c)   not too much

Your score is: ___  out of 8


Multiple Choice

Choose the idiom which correctly completes each sentence:

1. The librarian will _________________ a new dictionary for the library.
a)   put out
b)   look into getting

2. Our company _______________ a short newsletter every month.
a)   jumps at
b)   looks up
c)   puts out

3. I want to _______________ a good school next year.
a)   get into
b)   put out
c)   take out

4. My friend will _______________ if he hears about a new job.
a)   look through something
b)   seize the opportunity
c)   put out something

5. We always _________________ the chance to go to a new restaurant.
a)   jump at
b)   look through
c)   put out

6. It is ________________ and we must decide to buy the apartment or not.
a)   now or sometimes
b)   now or never
c)   now or forever

7. I will ________________ the newspaper and see if there is a good movie to see.
a)  put out
b)  jump at
c)  look through

8. My friend told me about his holiday ________________.
a)  now or never
b)  in detail
c)  forever

Your score is: ___  out of 8


Grammar Focus

Choose the word or expression that makes each of the following sentences correct:

1. My friend is planning to ______________ taking swimming lessons.
a)   look into
b)   look in
c)   look over

2. The singer ________________ a new song every month.
a)   puts in
b)   puts into
c)   puts out

3. It was difficult for the boy to ______________ the school.
a)   do into
b)   put into
c)   get into

4. My friend _________________ to go to the game.
a)   seized one opportunity
b)   seized the opportunities
c)   seized the opportunity

5. I usually __________________ to visit my grandparents.
a)   jump over the chance
b)   jump into the chance
c)   jump at the chance

6. It is _________________ and I must decide about the new job.
a)   now or forever
b)   now or ever
c)   now or never

7. I must _________________ my papers for my passport application.
a)  look into
b)  look above
c)  look through

8. The salesman talked about his product ______________.
a)  detailed
b)  in detail
c)  in details

Your score is: ___  out of 8




Discussion Questions

Answer the following questions using the idioms from this section:

1. Did you look into many schools before you chose your school?

2. Do you sometimes spend a lot of time looking into a good place to eat?

3. Have you ever been involved in putting out a student newspaper?

4. Did your high school put out a newspaper every month?

5. Was it easy for you to get into your school or university?

6. Is it easy to get into a good company where you live?

7. Do you try to seize every opportunity that you can?

8. Have you ever not seized an opportunity?

9. Have you ever jumped at a chance to travel overseas?

10. Do you always jump at a chance to go to a new movie?

11. Have you ever done something that was now or never?

12. Can you think of someone else who did something that was now or never?

13. Do you ever look through magazines for interesting articles to read?

14. Do you always look through the newspaper on the weekend?

15. Do you know the story of your parents' lives in detail?

16. Do you like to tell everybody your weekend plans in detail?

Role Play

Student A: You are looking into the possibility of taking a class at your local community center. You have been looking through their new guide. You like to try new things and you want to seize the opportunity to take a new class.

Student B: You are telling your friend that he or she should not always be trying new things. It would be better to continue with something rather than always changing and doing something new.

lesson 9